Page 12 of Merry Murder Season
Of course, it could have been unrelated to the fundraiser. Maybe Roger had sobered up and killed Chip because his wife had found out he was a drunken leech. But that was a long shot. Like Santa and his reindeer putting Chip onthe nice list.
I hadn’t known that Chris and Chip had been married, especially not three times. She had cared for him. That much was obvious from the kiss she’d given him when we found him decorating the outside of the bar. In all the years I’d lived in South Cove, the bar had always been the one building that was never decorated for the holidays. Not even with the town’s regulations. Rumor was that Chip had something on not only the mayor but enough of the council to always get a special dispensation for staying sans holiday spirit. Maybe it was against his religion. But this year, he had taken the time to put up the lights and Chris had been joyful. They must have been in one of their “on” times.
As I pondered everything I knew about Chip, I started writing down possible suspects as his killer. Was Dom’s reputation and the fact that he had been in prison before enough of a reason to write his name on the page? He was well-mannered. Easy to talk to. And he’d been a perfect dinner guest. Especially considering he led a dangerous motorcycle gang. At least, accordingto the rumors.
I was on the couch with a quart of vanilla ice cream when Greg came home. He put his gun away in the safe in the office, then came out and kissed me. “Reading or watching television?”
“I can do both.” I looked up at him. We both knew that wasn’t true. If I was reading, I’d get lost in the book. Or if something caught my eye on a show, I’d forget the book sitting on my lap. “Anyway, before you start laughing, what’s going on with the investigation? Darla says that you’re looking at Dom and his gang. Did he go to jail for killing someone before?”
“It’s one theory. There are several. For the record, Dom never served time for a violent act. And I’m not talking to you about the murder.” He sat on the back of the couch. “How was Solvang?”
“Well, Jim’s grumpy, Beth’s not talking, and your mom is chatty. So pretty stressful. We ran into Darla and Matt in town. He was shocked at the number of people out and about. I think he’s pretty isolated out on the road.” I pulled the lap blanket uparound my legs.
“He has to be. It’s rough when you’re trying to stay sober and your job is playing in a rock band.” Greg was in a men’s group at the church with Matt. Of course, they both rarely attended the Saturday morning group due to work issues. They’d bonded and started having coffee anytime Matt was in town. “Either the band needs to blow up so he can make some serious dough and get out of there or he needs to settle down and just be the weekend band guy. He’s getting tired of leaving Darla alone at the winery so much.”
“That’s sweet. I know she misses him. It’s hard to be all on your own, especially running a business.” I patted the couch. “Want some ice cream?”
“I’m not hungry but I need a shower and then I’m heading to bed. I’m wiped out.” Greg kissed me, softer this time. “You’re not alone too much, are you?”
“If I was, I’d figure it out. There’s no way I’m going to make you question your job. You love it. Even on long days like today.” I didn’t want to be like Greg’s first wife. Life wasn’t all about one person. We each had the things we loved. Mine was reading and learning new things. Things I could do on my own. His was keeping South Cove safe for all. He had a little bit of the white knight syndrome in him. I pushed his blond hair away from his eyes. “Honestly, I’m good. And if I’m ever not, we can talk. Maybe I’ll get another dog or a hamster. I’ll be up in a few. I’m going to finish this chapter and let Emma out. I’ll lock up and turn off the lights.”
He smiled as he stood. “A girl aftermy own heart.”
“I should hope so. You’re stuck with me, remember? Forever and ever.” I squeezed his hand before he left. I just hoped he’d feel the same way when he realized I was meddling in his case. He had to already know.Had he met me?
* * *
Tuesday morning, Greg was gone by the time I got downstairs. I wasn’t scheduled to have a shift until Thursday when the in-laws left, but if Beth and Jim kept fighting, I might have to change that. One of the advantages of owning your own business. You decided when you worked.
Esmeralda was flying home today, so Deek would head back to his apartment over the store. Life was starting to return to normal after the Thanksgiving holiday. Or as normal as it got during theholiday season.
Emma and I went to the beach to run. There, I saw Deek walking toward us, so I let Emma off her leash and she ran to him. She only sidetracked once down to the shore to chase off some seagulls who were looking for breakfast. When I caught up to them, Deek had worshiped Emma enough that she wandered off again, sniffing for whatever goodies the beach had in store. Emma hadher priorities.
Deek turned around so we could continue our walk. “How are things at the house? I saw Jim and Beth’s auras were still a little tumultuous onThanksgiving.”
“Still in question.” I didn’t want to gossip about my in-laws but Deek was more than just my employee. The kid felt like family. “How was writing at Esmeralda’s?”
“Surprisingly productive. The ghosts left me alone to do my work, although I felt their presence once I closed the laptop. I’m not sure I could live in a house like that.” He picked up a shell, then threw it backinto the ocean.
“Maybe the house is only like that because it’s Esmeralda’s. Beth and I were talking about it and she said it looked like a writer’s cottage. She’s in love with it. If she didn’t have a great job opportunity in Nebraska, I think she’d be nagging Esmeralda to move back to New Orleans and sell thehouse to her.”
Deek looked over toward where the house sat. We couldn’t see it exactly since we were lower and the house was set back from the shore. “I’d always thought it would be a great place to live. The only bad thing is I’m not sure Esmeralda will ever sell it. Do you think her contacts would go with herif she moved?”
“You’re asking questions way above my pay grade, but I think it would be a great house for you. Just don’t tell Beth I said that.” We walked for a few more minutes. “Didyou know Chip?”
“I’d been in the bar before but the place wasn’t my scene. A lot of hard drinkers hung out there. I’m a lightweight unless I’m trying to drown my sorrows due to another blown-up love affair. Then I can close a place down for a few days, at least.” He winked at me. “Chip was a grump but he had a soft aura. I didn’t understand how he could act so opposite from his true character. Chris, on the other hand, matches her aura exactly. Happy, trusting, and willing to give you the shirt off her back, especially for someone she loved, like Chip. She adored that man. And when they were on the outs, she worked at a bar in Bakerstown closer to her house. It was a much better situation for her, but she always returned to Chip and bartending herein South Cove.”
We turned around then and started back toward the stairs and parking lot. “I just met Chris. She’s part of Carrie’s book club. I wonder if she’ll be there tonight. Probably not. Losing even an ex-husband must be hard. Especially if you’re still inlove with him.”
Deek agreed and then changed the subject. We talked about the author visits he had scheduled during the holiday season. “I told them it would be a crapshoot on how well attended these might be. If people were Christmas shopping, they might get a lot of sales. But if they were busy with holiday frivolity, they might be stuck chatting with me.”
“Isn’t that the way it is all the time though?” I called Emma over and hooked her leash to her collar. “Life goes on. Even when bad things happen. Are you working the late shiftat the store?”
“Tilly’s opening today, and then tomorrow Evie’s back, so she’s opening. Then you’re back on Thursday, right?” He jogged up the stairs, waiting for us to follow.
“Unless I come back tomorrow,” I joked. When he looked back at me, I smiled and added, “I’m just kidding, kind of. Anyway, Beth, Amanda, and I will all be at the bookclub tonight.”
“Sounds good. I’ve got to go feed the cat and then switch out the sheets in the guest room before I move home.See you later.”
